The Blast

If you’ve seen the movie Philadelphia, you might remember attorney Denzel Washington asking people to “explain this to me like I’m a (2, 5, 6) year old” at various points in the movie. I bring this up because I believe it might be a strategy the Democratic Party should employ as they attempt to marshal their offensive for the 2018 mid-term elections. {Full disclosure: I am NOT a registered Democrat and have not been one for 20 or 30 years (if not more)}. What is important regarding 2018 is that the Democrats articulate a platform/program that the American people can understand (like 2,5,6 year olds?) and support. The party has lost its ability to persuade voters that it is trying to serve their interests (and not those of a condescending, elitist “establishment”). Right now, they are offering bupkis. Looking at “A Better Deal” that Pelosi & Schumer rolled out last week is pretty depressing.

When I first heard the Dems were introducing “A Better Deal” I had two reactions: #1 – WTF, are TR, FDR & Truman back? (The Square Deal, The New Deal, The Fair Deal) and #2 – I was reminded of the 1972 Robert Redford movie, “The Candidate” in which he played aspiring Senator Bill McKay and his slogan was A Better Way with Bill McKay. “A Better Deal” struck me as just as corny. Worse is that “A Better Deal” is about as exciting and attention grabbing as Hillary Clinton’s grocery list. Here are the bullet points (from www.countable.us)​· "Lower the crippling cost of prescription drugs" by creating a “price gouging” enforcer and allowing Medicare to negotiate prices directly with drug makers.· The formation of the "Trust Buster," a new consumer advocate tasked with closely monitoring corporate mergers and scrutinizing the proposed merger’s effect on jobs, product quality and consumer privacy· Bring high-speed Internet to "every corner of America" as part of a plan to give “Americans the tools to succeed in the 21st Century.”· Cracking down on unfair foreign trade and fighting "back against corporations that outsource foreign jobs"· Expand apprenticeships and work-based learning programs to "help train young people for the new jobs we will create, and provide pathways for millions of out-of-work Americans to re-enter the workforce."

These are admirable objectives, of course, but they’re nothing we haven’t heard before and they’re nothing Trump hasn’t already co-opted in some way, shape, or form. What is seriouslymissing from this “Better deal” is a real discussion of Health Care, an apparent lack of concern for the environment and no mention of immigration policy --- very important issues for those voters the Democrats might want to bring in under their “big tent.” They do mention infrastructure, which, of course, goes hand-in-hand with any jobs proposal --- but the omission of a broad statement (if not an articulated program) about Health Care, and no mention of the environment and immigration?

There is a serious problem with the Democratic "leadership" at this point and some of it, I believe, is generational. Not to be “ageist” but “Chuck” Schumer is 66 and Nancy Pelosi is 77 --- maybe it’s time to project a new face or two from this party? Like them, I am old enough to remember what it was like when the youth of Jack Kennedy was an issue --- until the energy and vitality of his White House had such a positive effect across the country and we clearly saw its benefits. Who are the bright young lights in this Party and why aren’t they being given the spotlight the way Barack Obama was at the 2004 Democratic convention? Gavin Newsom, the Lieutenant Governor of California, seems like someone we should be seeing and hearing more from. Back in June, Frank Bruni wrote a 14 Young Democrats to Watchcolumn for the NY Times (www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/06/24/opinion/sunday/14-young-democrats-to-watch.html) and it does seem we should be hearing more from people like LA’s Mayor Eric Garcetti as well as Obama’s HUD Secretary Julian Castro. Many others on that list (including Joe Kennedy III, Gov. Gina Raimondo {RI) and NYC congressman Hakeem Jefferies) have gotten some screen time with voters but it may serve the Party’s best interests to vigorously promote these people. Yes, Cory Booker and Kamala Harris are young and attractive (but let's remember that Obama wrought Trump --- you may want to read the NY Times August 5th piece by Carol Anderson on The Politics of White Resentment before heading in that direction).

The problem, then, is twofold: #1) what is the clear programmatic platform the Dems need to persuade voters with and #2) who is/ who are the best messengers to carry that to the voters? At present there is not much on the horizon on either count. If they are going to put their eggs in the “Better Deal” basket anyone who sees the world through a progressive lens better batten down the hatches for the foreseeable future. If they insist on their “Better Deal” they might do well to check back with good old Teddy Roosevelt and his “Square Deal,” which revolved around “the 3 C’s.” According to Wikipedia: “Roosevelt reflected three basic goals: conservation of natural resources, control of corporations, and consumer protection.” That was back in the early 20th Century --- even though it sounds completely and totally relevant today. Consider this about TR, too: “A progressive Republican, Roosevelt believed in government action to mitigate social evils, and as president he in 1908 denounced "the representatives of predatory wealth” as guilty of “all forms of iniquity from the oppression of wage workers to unfair and unwholesome methods of crushing competition, and to defrauding the public by stock-jobbing and the manipulation of securities." During his second term, Roosevelt tried to extend his Square Deal further, but was blocked by conservative Republicans in Congress.” Sound familiar? What goes around comes around in U.S. History --- but not if the current Democratic “leadership” doesn’t wake up and see the writing on the wall.

It’s time to stop obsessing about Trump and simply being the “We’re not him and we don’t like him” Party (which is exactly what the Republicans did with Obama) and start making inroads with voters by appealing to not just the "better angels of their nature" but their hearts and souls with “bread and butter” issues. If you remember 1992, Bill Clinton won because he never forgot, “It’s the economy, Stupid.” Despite the Market’s record “highs” little of that is translating to millions of Americans --- Americans the Democrats and Progressives need to persuade to start voting in their own best interests.